View Full Version : Property for sale at James River - hostel possibility
Pittsburgh#1
03-21-2015, 13:45
LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION !!!
Anyone interested in opening a hostel in Virginia, please look at 14907 Lee Jackson Hwy, Big Island VA. I looked at the property and have decided against purchasing, but you may decide otherwise. Do your due diligence...
Pittsburgh
Is this the listing you're referring to? http://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/14907-Lee-Jackson-Hwy_Big-Island_VA_24526_M63827-78022
Pittsburgh#1
03-21-2015, 20:48
Is this the listing you're referring to? http://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/14907-Lee-Jackson-Hwy_Big-Island_VA_24526_M63827-78022
That's the one...
mtntopper
03-21-2015, 20:56
How close to the AT?
Cotton Terry
03-21-2015, 21:44
According to Google Maps, it's about 1.5 miles south of where the trail crosses the James River. That's if you cross the Foote Bridge to highway 501 and hitch a ride (or walk) from there. Or, it looks like you could just walk the railroad tracks directly to the place.
You'd have to spend some money actually building a hostel. 1200 sq ft and 1.5 baths means if you lived there you'd be cramped for space (at least we would) not even considering housing hikers. So figure another $75k to do it right.
Pittsburgh#1
03-22-2015, 15:57
***You'd have to spend some money actually building a hostel. 1200 sq ft and 1.5 baths means if you lived there you'd be cramped for space (at least we would) not even considering housing hikers. So figure another $75k to do it right.
In the short term the house has a full unfinished basement that could be converted into a bunkroom/laundry/shower/toilet facility, leaving the upstairs as a private residence. And with nearly one acre of land, other buildings could eventually be built as needed.
***According to Google Maps, it's about 1.5 miles south of where the trail crosses the James River. That's if you cross the Foote Bridge to highway 501 and hitch a ride (or walk) from there. Or, it looks like you could just walk the railroad tracks directly to the place.
Walking the tracks is not an option. Besides this being illegal (private property) and dangerous (active tracks), the tracks are 60’ below the level of the property with no way up.
The 1.5 mile walk is a dangerous road walk, crossing the same road bridge that pre-2000 hikers had to cross. The old AT may still be open from Matts Creek Shelter to Rt. 501. That would put you a half mile from the property.
The old bridge is being replaced with a new bridge adjacent to the property. This is an ongoing project that will end in Spring 2017. Click here: http://www.virginiadot.org/projects/lynchburg/route_501_bridge_over_james_river_at_snowden.asp (http://www.virginiadot.org/projects/lynchburg/route_501_bridge_over_james_river_at_snowden.asp)
The property has a 48 year old septic system that may need repaired or replaced, but other than that, the property is properly zoned for a hostel/B&B.
Deer Hunter
03-22-2015, 18:32
***You'd have to spend some money actually building a hostel. 1200 sq ft and 1.5 baths means if you lived there you'd be cramped for space (at least we would) not even considering housing hikers. So figure another $75k to do it right.
In the short term the house has a full unfinished basement that could be converted into a bunkroom/laundry/shower/toilet facility, leaving the upstairs as a private residence. And with nearly one acre of land, other buildings could eventually be built as needed.
***According to Google Maps, it's about 1.5 miles south of where the trail crosses the James River. That's if you cross the Foote Bridge to highway 501 and hitch a ride (or walk) from there. Or, it looks like you could just walk the railroad tracks directly to the place.
Walking the tracks is not an option. Besides this being illegal (private property) and dangerous (active tracks), the tracks are 60’ below the level of the property with no way up.
The 1.5 mile walk is a dangerous road walk, crossing the same road bridge that pre-2000 hikers had to cross. The old AT may still be open from Matts Creek Shelter to Rt. 501. That would put you a half mile from the property.
The old bridge is being replaced with a new bridge adjacent to the property. This is an ongoing project that will end in Spring 2017. Click here: http://www.virginiadot.org/projects/lynchburg/route_501_bridge_over_james_river_at_snowden.asp (http://www.virginiadot.org/projects/lynchburg/route_501_bridge_over_james_river_at_snowden.asp)
The property has a 48 year old septic system that may need repaired or replaced, but other than that, the property is properly zoned for a hostel/B&B.
"The old bridge is being replaced with a new bridge adjacent to the property." I passed by this the other day. They have started on it.
joshuasdad
03-23-2015, 08:46
The property is sandwiched between a road which has a decent amount of truck traffic and a railroad track. Between the train whistles, truck engine brake, and truck engine noise to handle the uphill, it does not look like it would provide the break from the trail that some may desire. But YMMV...
Pittsburgh#1
03-23-2015, 10:08
Downside - VDOT estimates 165 trucks daily and 24/7 bridge construction for two years - CSX estimates 13 trains daily (this would not be a downside for me, I love trains)...
Upside - In the middle of a 130 trail mile resupply void - on the James River - within a few miles of the BRP...
I chose not to pursue this property mainly because my wife is not ready to make such a big move/commitment. But if you hype the downsides with the seller, then the cost of this property could be very reasonable. All in all, this is not a bad opportunity...
And, when the bridge construction ends, you would be on a prime piece of land with tremendous commercial opportunities. Whatever happens to this property right now, I will be looking at it again near the end of the construction...
Trainguy
03-23-2015, 11:37
According to Google Maps, it's about 1.5 miles south of where the trail crosses the James River. That's if you cross the Foote Bridge to highway 501 and hitch a ride (or walk) from there. Or, it looks like you could just walk the railroad tracks directly to the place.
"just walk the railroad tracks"
I do not know if those railroad tracks are active or not. Listen people...I am a retired locomotive engineer. I have seen my share of death and carnage from people walking the tracks. I know there is nothing I can say or do to prevent people from trespassing on railroad property, but please, do not encourage people to risk their lives by walking on railroad tracks.
and here's another reason not to walk the tracks....
director of a film pleads guilty due to death on tracks......
http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2015/03/10/director-gregg-allman-film-pleads-guilty-in-train-crash-death-charges-dropped/
No doubt a hostel or resupply point along the trail near the James River Footbridge would be very useful for hikers and potentially a viable economic venture, however, take a good look at the VDOT documentation: http://www.virginiadot.org/projects/lynchburg/route_501_bridge_over_james_river_at_snowden.asp (http://www.virginiadot.org/projects/lynchburg/route_501_bridge_over_james_river_at_snowden.asp)
The plans appear to have the off ramp and right of way overlying this property. There is not enough documentation on the website to know for sure, but buyer and dreamers beware.
Pittsburgh#1
03-24-2015, 11:43
No doubt a hostel or resupply point along the trail near the James River Footbridge would be very useful for hikers and potentially a viable economic venture, however, take a good look at the VDOT documentation: http://www.virginiadot.org/projects/lynchburg/route_501_bridge_over_james_river_at_snowden.asp (http://www.virginiadot.org/projects/lynchburg/route_501_bridge_over_james_river_at_snowden.asp)
The plans appear to have the off ramp and right of way overlying this property. There is not enough documentation on the website to know for sure, but buyer and dreamers beware.
The construction project borders the property - I have the VDOT blueprints...
Walkintom
03-24-2015, 11:53
"just walk the railroad tracks"
I do not know if those railroad tracks are active or not. Listen people...I am a retired locomotive engineer. I have seen my share of death and carnage from people walking the tracks. I know there is nothing I can say or do to prevent people from trespassing on railroad property, but please, do not encourage people to risk their lives by walking on railroad tracks.
True.
The thing that always comes to mind is, "Helen Keller would know a train is coming" but it happens all too regularly that people get hit by trains. And that's a really messy Game Over.
Stay off train tracks.